Page 46 of The Duke and the Unwanted Bride

Hannah blinked in surprise. “For me? Are you sure?”

“Very sure,” he said emphatically. “They asked that I bring you to them at once.”

“That is…” Odd, to say the least.

Although this was indeed Hannah’s new address, she had only lived here for a day, and she did not yet see it as her home.

“Who did you say is calling?”

“Her Grace, the Duchess of Hayward,” he replied. “Your sister.”

“Charlotte?” That was surprising and somewhat concerning. “Who is she with?”

“She is alone, Your Grace. What is more, she insisted that she meet you in the foyer, for she said that she did not have time to stay. I offered her a drink, of course,” Mr. Farrow made sure to add. “But she was quite adamant about the urgency of this meeting.”

Hannah frowned as she considered what the butler was telling her. She knew there was nothing malicious about this sudden visit, as she and Charlotte were close. But the urgency of it suggested a deeper meaning than simply stopping by to say hello. Charlotte was here for a good reason, a purpose that could not wait.

What was more, that she wished to see Hannah alone spoke volumes, and it made Hannah suddenly feel nervous in a way she could not quite explain.

“Thank you, Farrow,” she said. “I shall go to her at once. And if His Grace comes out of Amelia’s room in the meantime…” She hesitated. “Tell him where I am. I am sure he would love to see the Duchess of Hayward.”

“Of course.” Mr. Farrow bowed to her before he left.

Hannah made for the stairwell that led down to the foyer. As she walked, her mind raced as she tried to puzzle out what this sudden appearance might mean. Hopefully, it was all in her head, for everything was going so well here—far better than expected—and the last thing she needed was for it to come crashing down on her like a crumbling house.

As promised, her sister stood in the foyer, waiting.

As soon as Charlotte saw Hannah on the landing, she breathed a sigh of relief.

“Hannah!” she said. “Thank God!”

“Charlotte…” Hannah hurried down the stairs, taking note of her sister’s aggrieved state. “What a pleasant surprise. Surprise being the key word.”

Charlotte met her at the bottom of the steps, took her hands, and gave her a kiss on each cheek. “I am so sorry for turning up without prior notice. Ordinarily I would not, but I thought I must.”

“Oh, it is quite alright,” Hannah assured her. “Hopefully, it is nothing too troublesome?”

Charlotte winced in response.

Hannah’s heart sank. She could only conclude that it had something to do with Frederick, and although she could not imagine what, the timing could not be worse. Today had gone wonderfully for so many reasons. Not only had she managed to make great progress with Amelia, but her relationship with her husband had come on leaps and bounds.

He was no longer cagey. He was no longer reserved and standoffish. Dammit, he was finally beginning to act as ahusband should, for she saw the way he looked at her when she stripped off her dress and waded into the pond. That self-control he touted was cracking, and Hannah knew that one more night together and it would shatter entirely.

Last night… how many times today had Hannah thought about it? Too many to count. She still had trouble believing it had happened and?—

“Hannah?” Charlotte said. “Is everything alright?”

“Hmm?” Hannah blinked, realizing that for a moment there she had zoned out. “Oh, yes. Sorry.” A shake of the head next. “You were saying?”

Charlotte frowned at her, her eyes narrowed in concern. “I was saying that I simply had to come and see you. To tell you firsthand before you found out for yourself.”

“Tell me what? Shall we have some tea…” Hannah half-turned to gestured back inside the house.

“No, no, there is no time. I was passing by and thought I should stop in. This is purely me playing the older sister, because someone has to.”

“Has to what?”

“Look out for you, Hannah,” Charlotte said rightly. “What with this marriage and how—” She clicked her tongue. “How little youwished for it, the last thing I want to see is things made even worse. Which they will be, I am afraid.”

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